Dan Rasmussen & D.A. Wallach on Biotech’s Surge, China, IPOs, US Valuations & Japan | #617

Today’s returning guests are Dan Rasmussen, founder of Verdad Advisers, and D.A. Wallach, a venture capital investor for Time BioVentures. In today’s episode, we unpack the recent biotech surge through the lens of Dan’s recently published biotech report. We also explore China’s growing biotech market, shifting IPO and VC trends, and how valuation tools like CAPE fit into today’s regime. Finally, we also discuss technology’s effect on productivity and corporate profits in the US, Japan’s economic anomaly, home country bias, and more.

Radio Show: Meb on Markets at Extremes, Anything BUT Market Cap, and Embracing Volatility | #616

In today’s radio show, Meb breaks down why market-cap–weighted investing may be nearing its limits after an extraordinary run in U.S. stocks. He explores CAPE ratios near historic extremes, the quiet resurgence of gold and commodities, and why equal weight, value, and global markets are suddenly back in the conversation. To close, Meb explains how trend following and real assets can help investors navigate regime shifts. Note: this was recorded on January 29, 2026.

Russell Napier: Financial Repression Is Back — And Investors Aren’t Ready | #615

My guest today is Russell Napier, an independent financial market strategist, financial historian, and author of The Solid Ground investment report. In 2014, he founded the charitable venture The Library of Mistakes — a free-to-use library of financial history. In today’s episode, Russell explains why investors are asking the wrong questions at a critical turning point in financial history. He how financial repression, shifting monetary regimes, and political priorities are reshaping capital markets. To close, he explains the dangers of yield chasing, why technology won’t defeat inflation, and why gold may be signaling what comes next.

Richard Bernstein - The Case for Dividends in a Bubble Era | #614

Today’s guest is Richard Bernstein, Chief Investment Officer of Richard Bernstein Advisors, which he founded in 2009. He was previously the Chief Investment Strategist at Merrill Lynch. In today’s episode, Richard argues that the market is defined by rampant speculation and extreme narrowness. He explains why he’s bullish on both dividend-paying and international stocks and believes crypto is the first global investment bubble. To close, he warns that corporate credit is priced for perfection, inflation risks aren’t gone, and diversification is the best defense in a bubble-prone market.

Marc Faber on Democracy, Debt, and Surviving the Next Market Regime | #613

My guest today is Marc Faber, editor of the “Gloom Boom & Doom Report.” In today’s episode, Marc Faber explores the unpredictable nature of financial markets, the resurgence of precious metals, and how money printing has fueled economic inequality. He argues that bonds are currently under-owned and may offer opportunity, and explains why emerging markets such as Thailand and Vietnam deserve consideration. To close, Marc underscores the importance of diversification in an increasingly uncertain world.

Build Your Perfect Portfolio (w/ Cullen Roche) | #612

My guest today is Cullen Roche, Chief Investment Officer at Orcam Financial Group and Discipline Funds. His latest book is Your Perfect Portfolio: The ultimate guide to using the world’s most powerful investing strategies. In today’s episode, Cullen walks through the principles of portfolio construction. He emphasizes the importance of viewing investments as a means of savings rather than a quick path to wealth. Cullen explores the significance of time horizons in investment decisions, why real returns are what matter, and the origins of the 60/40 portfolio.

What the Data Says About Founder-Led Outperformance (w/ Jack Ablin of Cresset Asset Management) | #611

Today’s guest is Jack Ablin, CIO at Cresset Asset Management, which manages over $70 billion AUM. Jack was RIA Intel’s “CIO of the Year” for 2022 and was previously the CIO at BMO for 17 years. In today’s episode, Jack walks through the ins and outs of investing in founder-led companies and what has led them to historically outperform. He also explains his approach to asset allocation, which structures portfolios based on time horizons rather than traditional asset classes. Finally, he offers an outlook for equities and fixed income next year, discusses private market opportunities, and looks at the future of Cresset Asset Management.

David McWilliams on The Story of Money—and Why It Matters for Markets | #610

Today’s guest is David McWilliams, an economist, podcast host and author. David worked at the Central Bank of Ireland, UBS and BNP Paribas and is the founder of the Kilkenomics Festival, a unique blend of economics and stand-up comedy. His book is called The History of Money: A Story of Humanity, which is my favorite book from 2025. In today’s episode, David walks through the evolution of money over the last 5,000 years. He explains why money is a foundational social technology that is central to every aspect of our civilization, from the political to the artistic. He delves into historical anecdotes—from clay tablets in Mesopotamia to Gutenberg’s printing press to Martin Luther’s disruptive influence on the church. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes that economists need to do a better job helping people understand money and its role in navigating modern economic principles.

BlackRock’s Rick Rieder - Rethinking Risk Into 2026 | #609

Today’s guest is Rick Rieder. Rick oversees more than $2 trillion in assets as the Chief Investment Officer of Global Fixed Income at BlackRock. He also heads the Fundamental Fixed Income business and the Global Allocation Investment Team. In today’s episode, Rick discusses the current state of the markets, focusing on year-end dynamics, free cash flow at big-tech companies, and the evolving economic landscape since Liberation Day. He explains both what he expects the Fed to do and what he thinks they should do, and how that relates to portfolio construction. The discussion also explores the differences between gambling and investing, lessons from tennis that apply to investing, and much more.

Nick Maggiulli on What the Wealthiest Do Differently—And What They Get Wrong | #608

Today’s guest is Nick Maggiulli. Nick is the COO for Ritholtz Wealth Management. He writes over at Of Dollars at Data and is the author of two books: Just Keep Buying and The Wealth Ladder. In today’s episode, Nick discusses the parallels between financial and medical advice, the differences in asset ownership across wealth levels, and the importance of adapting financial strategies over time. He also explores wealth mobility, the role of luck in wealth accumulation, and the challenges of diversification versus concentration in investment strategies.

AQR’s Antti Ilmanen – US Exceptionalism: Growth Story or Valuation Trap? | #607

Today’s guest is Antti Ilmanen, Global Co-head of the Portfolio Solutions Group at AQR Capital Management. In today’s episode, Antti discusses the complexities of investment returns, the importance of understanding both objective and subjective expectations, and the dangers of relying on past performance as a guide for future investments. We explore the current state of the US market, the role of diversifiers in portfolios, and the behavioral biases that affect investor decisions. Antti also contrasts the behaviors of bond investors, which tend to be more contrarian, and equity investors, which tend to extrapolate.

The Biotech Rebuild: Finding Alpha After the Drawdown with Chris Clark | #606

Today’s guest is Chris Clark. Chris was a biotech PM for 10 years at RS Investments, managing $4.5 billion. In today’s episode, Chris discusses the complexities of the biotech sector, which has suffered a dramatic drawdown the past few years. He begins by explaining how biotech works, why it’s such a unique sector, and what has kept investors and companies frozen the past few years. He also explains the different perspectives of venture capitalists and public market investors, the current regulatory environment and how AI may reshape drug development.

Vanguard’s Joe Davis on AI vs. The National Debt: The Tug-of-War To Decide America’s Future | #605

Today’s guest is Joe Davis, Vanguard’s Global Chief Economist and Global Head of Vanguard’s Investment Strategy Group. His latest research on megatrends is covered in his book, Coming Into View: How AI and Other Megatrends Will Shape Your Investments. In today’s episode, Joe explains why the coming decade for the U.S. economy will be shaped by a tug-of-war between AI and demographics-driven deficits. While the most likely outcome is optimistic (the benefits of AI offset demographic pressures), the next most likely outcome is pessimistic (AI fails to meet our expectations and growth tumbles, putting pressure on the government’s balance sheet). Joe emphasizes the need for investors to prepare for non-consensus outcomes and embrace diversification to navigate this uncertain future.

Kathryn Kaminski – Don’t Fire Your Diversifier | #604

Today’s guest is Kathryn Kaminski, Chief Research Strategist at AlphaSimplex, where she’s also the co-portfolio manager for the firm’s Managed Futures Strategy and Global Alternatives Strategy. She also co-authored the book Trend Following with Managed Futures: The Search for Crisis Alpha. In today’s episode, Meb and Katy discuss the tough year for managed futures strategies, which have experienced the 2nd largest drawdown in the last quarter century. Katy walks through the history of drawdowns and recoveries since 2000, explaining investors who have been patient in the past have been rewarded when the strategy recovers. She emphasizes managed futures’ ability to serve as a diversifier to stocks, revisits her research on crisis alpha, and touches on the rise of managed futures ETFs as a way for investors to get exposure to this asset class.

Inside The $200 Billion World of Gaming with Peter Levin (Griffin Gaming Partners) | #603

Today’s guest is Peter Levin, co-founder of Griffin Gaming Partners, the largest singularly focused gaming investment vehicle in the world. Peter was previously the CEO and co-founder of Nerdist Industries, which was acquired by Legendary Entertainment. He began his career at CAA, had a stint at Disney, sold a company to UFC, and was also an early advisor and investor to Rovio aka Angry Birds. In today’s episode, Peter discusses the evolution of the gaming industry, highlighting the dominance of gaming IP. He touches on the rise of indie games, the impact of AI on the space and why he avoids trends like esports, AR and VR.

MEBISODE: When to Sell?

In today’s Mebisode, Meb reads his latest paper, “When to Sell?”

Carl Richards – Rewiring Your Financial Mindset in the Age of Comparison | #602

Today’s guest is Carl Richards. Carl is a Certified Financial Planner, built and sold an investment firm, and hosts the podcast 50 Fires, which is backed by Chip and Joanna Gaines. He’s also the author of The Behavior Gap and The One-Page Financial Plan and his newest book is called Your Money: Reimaging Your Wealth with 101 Simple Sketches. In today’s episode, Carl discusses the emotional aspects of money and how our perceptions of wealth can be influenced by societal norms and personal experiences. He introduces concepts like the emotional balance sheet and the overnight test for investment decisions, emphasizing the need to align financial choices with personal goals rather than external pressures. The discussion also touches on the impact of news and social media on financial behavior.

Eddy Elfenbein – OG Financial Blogger Turned ETF Manager | #601

Today’s guest is Eddy Elfenbein, one of the OG financial bloggers at Crossing Wall Street. Eddy also runs the CWS ETF, which is from his annual buy list of 25 stocks. In today’s episode, Eddy shares his insights on investing, stock selection, and the challenges of managing an ETF. He discusses the origins of his buy list, his investment philosophy focused on high-quality stocks, and the importance of understanding market cycles. Eddie also provides advice for aspiring ETF managers and reflects on the unique stock picks that have defined his career.

Tobias Carlisle - Warren Buffett, Sun Tzu and The Ancient Art of Risk-Taking | #600

Today’s guest is Tobias Carlisle, founder of Acquirers Funds and serves as portfolio manager of the firm’s deep value strategy. He’s just released a book called Soldier of Fortune: Warren Buffett, Sun Tzu and the Ancient Art of Risk-Taking. In today’s episode, Toby starts by discussing the current valuation landscape and the challenge for small cap investors. Then he explores the intersection of Warren Buffett’s investment philosophy with Sun Tzu’s teachings. He walks through notable investment case studies, including General Re, Burlington Northern and Japanese trading houses. The case studies all convey the significance of patience, strategic thinking, and the pursuit of asymmetric opportunities in investing, while also addressing the psychological aspects that influence investor behavior.

Morgan Housel on The Illusion of Wealth and Happiness | #599

Today’s guest is Morgan Housel, the bestselling author of The Psychology of Money and Same As Ever. His books have sold over nine million copies. His new book releasing in October is The Art of Spending Money. Morgan is a partner at The Collaborative Fund and serves on the board of directors at Markel. In today’s episode, Morgan discusses the complexities of wealth, spending, and happiness. He shares insights on the psychological implications of financial identity and the importance of independence and purpose in achieving true happiness. One theme throughout is that investing is more about human behavior than financial principles.